The electric toothbrush: analysis of filaments under stereomicroscope

The use of manual and electric toothbrushes has a fundamental role in primary prevention in oral hygiene. However, aggressive use of the toothbrushs, especially those with non-rounded filaments, can result in lesions in both soft and hard oral tissue. Without doubt, the electric toothbrush is a useful aid for the patient, and it is therefore intersting to evaluate not only its effectiveness in plaque removal, but also the relationship between morphology of filaments and incidence of muco-gingival pathologies. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate various forms of bristles of elctric toothbrushes under a stereomicroscope vision. Data sources: brusshes tested included two samples of toothbrushes from isx different types. Tufts from the same position on the toothbrush head were removed and examined under stereomicroscope. In this study the percentage of rounded filaments that is considered acceptable and non-traumatic was evaluated according to the Silverstone and Featherstone classification. Conclusion: Morphological analysis of electric toothbrush filaments revealed a low percentale of rounded filaments. In only 4 of 12 electric toothbrushes tested there were more than 50% of the filaments rounded in appearance.